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Phoenix flirts with record heat just days after Christmas

Phoenix weather can get extreme. These are the hottest, coldest, rainiest, snowiest and windiest days in the Valley. David Wallace/The Republic

6 biggest Phoenix weather records

Phoenix weather can get extreme. These are the hottest, coldest, rainiest, snowiest and windiest days in the Valley.
David Wallace/The Republic

November 2017: This was the warmest November in Phoenix history. Eleanor Horen

6 biggest Phoenix weather records

November 2017: This was the warmest November in Phoenix history.
Eleanor Horen

Feb. 2, 1939: Phoenix's snowiest day on record covered the city in 0.4 inches of snow. Taja Cantlon/The Republic

6 biggest Phoenix weather records

Feb. 2, 1939: Phoenix's snowiest day on record covered the city in 0.4 inches of snow.
Taja Cantlon/The Republic

Sept. 8, 2014: According to Maricopa County's Flood District Storm Report, 3.3 inches of rain fell at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It was the most rain recorded on a calendar day since record keeping began around 115 years ago. Michael Chow/The Republic

6 biggest Phoenix weather records

Sept. 8, 2014: According to Maricopa County's Flood District Storm Report, 3.3 inches of rain fell at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It was the most rain recorded on a calendar day since record keeping began around 115 years ago.
Michael Chow/The Republic

While most of the rest of the country bundles up, Phoenix is on its way to surpassing heat records just days after Christmas.

Phoenix is expected to hit 76 degrees Thursday, just two degrees short of the record high set in 1917, according to the National Weather Service. The average temperature is 65 degrees.

A rise of high pressure — something Phoenix sees a lot in the summer, but occasionally in the winter — brought clearer skies and warmer temperatures, National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Deemer said.

"It's a bit stronger that what we would typically see which is why we're going to see 70s," Deemer said.

He said the La Niña climate pattern, which means the Pacific Ocean is cooler than usual, also is helping the high-pressure system strengthen and stick around longer than normal.

High temperatures are expected throughout the rest of the week, with a minor cooldown to the low 70s anticipated early next week.

Rain is unlikely before the end of the year, Deemer said. There's a "very slim" chance of moisture early next week, but "I wouldn't put money on it yet," he said.